Highway construction firms oppose PennDOT’s bridge toll plan
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A highway construction trade association is against a state plan to toll up to nine major bridges around Pennsylvania in need of repairs, although Gov. Tom Wolf’s top transportation official disputes its criticisms. The Associated Pennsylvania Constructors’ executive vice president, Robert Latham, told the House Transportation Committee on Wednesday that the cost of private financing would drive up project costs. Latham also said relying on tolling to cover construction costs is risky. However, Transportation Secretary Yassmin Gramian said she expects the projects to be financed with lower-cost municipal bonds. In addition, she says financing the reconstruction projects is less risky because the bridges have stable daily traffic flows.